WHAT THE BROADCAST NETWORKS DIDN´T SHOW YOU

WHAT THE BROADCAST NETWORKS DIDNíT SHOW YOU

In this day of the foregone conclusion and no surprises at conventions (except, maybe that now bloggers are there, surprise, surprise), ABC, CBS, NBC, and even that excuse for a network FOX (you know, the one with the propaganda outfit on cable and satellite that poses as an all-news channel) decided to skip prime time coverage last night, and offer the usual broadcast fare.

News junkies and party faithful, plus Republicans looking for battle points and weaknesses, were able to tune in via cable/satellite networks. One could follow the proceedings on C-SPAN, PBS, MSNBC, and CNN. I have no idea if FOX News Channel even considers the events of this week a news story, since it is a celebration among and of the democrats, which is anathema to the programmer at FOX.

CABLE AND SATCAST STATIONS SEEM TO HAVE THE UPPER HAND

Despite the headline above, they donít generally have the masses tuning in on a level as large as the Big Three plus Fox. Except, of course, in times of crisis and high news consumption. Then it always seems as though CNN is the designated source of breaking news and information. Theyíve built that credibility and reputation over the years. Back in the days before off-air networks it was CBS one tuned to in an emergency or crisis. The days of the Tiffany Network are long gone.

My choice for viewing the convention has been MSNBC. Chris Matthews has grown and matured as an anchor, although often in the course of events and the excitement of the moment he did resort to his old bad habits of hollering and cutting off his guests and colleagues. I am a big fan of Keith Olbermann, and in general I like the assembled crew from NBC that is assigned to the MSNBC wing of their coverage.

This means a bunch less Tom Brokaw, which is fine with me. How this stiff (and I always though aloof) anchor/newsreader has been accorded near-pundit status is a mystery to me. Tim Russert is best off when heís either behind the Meet The Press host chair, or interacting with the coverage anchor as a reporter/analyst offering specific-segment pieces.

Then thereís Brian Williams and his eye make-up. The less I see of him, the happier I am. The guy always looks like heís about to either throw up, let loose a cannonball of farts, or just pass out. Whatís the deal with the overage of intensity? Could it be related to all that make-up? Barbara Walters doesnít wear as much face paint as this guy.

CNN DROPS THE BALL

I find CNN unwatchable. Larry King just needs to shut up. Until Aaron Brown comes on, along with Jeff Greenfield, CNN is too full of bland coverage, way too many commercial breaks, poor audio (why is this the case, donít they share pooled audiotech services?), and coverage of minutia that seems off topic. The CNN nod to Comedy Channel is apparently a ìlighter sideî roving reporter. But this is comedy from a news channel during coverage of a major news event, a convention. Easy to see whatís wrong with this picture.

If viewers want to watch John Stewart and Comedy Channelís Indecision 2004 [1], they can flip the remote and get it. This decision to have a sub-par Comedy Channel sort of member of the team makes one realize how much better The Comedy Channel is at this. Viewers donít look to The Comedy Channel for a competitive alternative to Paula Zahn or Aaron Brown. Why does CNN feel a need to tread on Comedyís turf?

MSNBC PICKS IT UP

Whereas MSNBC has Pat Buchanan, CNN has Tucker Carlson. Buchanan is a man with whom I disagree on just about everything. But as a pundit, an analyst, and one who does so coming from an identified and stated position, he does a very good job of offering what turns out to be objective commentary from a point of view. Carlson comes across as smug and childish, constantly attempting to prove his own point, further his position, as opposed to offering viewpoint and analysis.

TECHNORATI: CENTER STAGE AT CNN

As a blogger it is apparently incumbent, as though a religious duty, to make sure to comment on the fact that CNN is working with Technorati [2], covering blog coverage, and with Technorati-San Dave Sifry [3] getting some on-camera time. Dave is a super smart guy. He created the Technorati interface, and certainly is one of the people most capable of analyzing both the blogosphere coverage, as well as overall internet coverage of the convention.

Reading blogs of people I respect (and that includes credentialed-and-in-Boston bloggers as well as those blogging from their more traditional haunts) it seems Dave is doing a good job.

Mega-Kudos to Dave Sifry [3] on landing this choice spot, to his own benefit and for the exposure and expansion opportunities for Technorati. Props to CNN for having the foresight and pro-activeness to work with Dave and Technorati to offer this angle as reportage and to supplement it with analysis from Dave.

But I am sad to report that I am so appalled by the general CNN coverage that I have yet to see any of Daveís reports or sessions at the analysis table. Iíve flipped back and forth, wielding the remote like a pre-teen with a GameBoy. But as yet, two nights in, I still havenít caught the Technorati enhancement to CNNís otherwise substandard coverage.

YOU CAN STILL WATCH TUESDAYíS HIGHLIGHTS

Barack Obama's speech. Download it, or watch the video, available for viewing [4] on the MSNBC site. Is he the future of the party? Who knows? Can he speak? Thatís for damn sure, and he is a skilled speaker. An impassioned, well written and pretty well delivered (if a little rushed) speech. But heís still no Bubba. Clinton remains the top orator of the party, and Gore is a close second. Of course, their time in the limelight may be rapidly fading.

Ron Reaganís speech. Download it, or watch the video [5], available for viewing on the MSNBC site.

Also available from last night: speeches by Ted Kennedy [6] Howard Dean [7], Dick Gephart [8].




And the presumptive nominee for First Lady, Teresa Heinz Kerry [9]. She handled her recent flap, a non-story blown up and out of proportion, a complete creation of the media and the press.

She can say "shove it" to someone all she likes. Who cares, this is no major expletive. Despite both Tucker Carlson on CNN and Pat Buchanan on MSNBC spouting off that this will alienate women voters all across Middle America. Thatís bullshit. "Shove it" is light fare. As Dick Cheneyburton would say, fuck it.